Rice Shower stood before the spectator stands, smiling and waving to the cheering crowd. Though she hadn't managed to claim the Tenno Sho (Spring) victory again, the audience still showered her with encouragement for her brilliant performance.
That's just how the world of horse racing was—no matter how strong an Uma Musume was, defeat was always a possibility.
True strength meant accepting loss, acknowledging it, and growing stronger from it. As a seasoned veteran of the track, Rice Shower understood this well.
Understanding was one thing, but that didn't make the sting in her heart any less real.
The Tenno Sho (Spring) held undeniable significance for her, and Kyoto Racecourse was a deeply special place in Rice Shower's story.
It was where her victories had begun, and she had naturally imagined ending her career right there on that turf.
Yet, her fans outside the circuit seemed eager to see her compete in the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen. Rice Shower had already considered it—if she could win the Tenno Sho (Spring), she would fulfill everyone's hopes and delay her retirement until after the Takarazuka Kinen.
But she had lost. And during that final sprint, in the thick of the Zone battle, Rice Shower had felt it clearly—she had reached her limit. Even if Narita Brian could keep going, she herself was on the verge of collapse.
Should she really continue in this state and take part in the Takarazuka Kinen?
Rice Shower lifted her head, gazing at the cheering crowd, and for a moment, she felt utterly lost.
Just as confusion clouded her mind and her large ears drooped slightly, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Have you seen where Narita Brian went?"
Startled, Rice Shower trembled, her ears perking straight up. She let out a small, involuntary gasp before turning to see Dream Weaver. Breathing a sigh of relief, she thought for a moment, then pointed toward the participant tunnel.
"I think she went straight back to the tunnel after the race. She might be in the preparation room now?"
"Got it, thanks."
Dream Weaver gave a nod and turned to leave, but just then, Rice Shower called out to her.
"Can I… ask you a question?"
"Hm?"
Rice Shower seemed hesitant, as if feeling she shouldn't be asking such a thing as a senior to a junior. But the words were already out, and there was no taking them back.
Her face flushed bright red before she finally steeled herself. Avoiding Dream Weaver's gaze, she spoke softly.
"What… is your reason for running?"
The question gave Dream Weaver pause. She hadn't expected Rice Shower to ask her something like that.
In fact, no one had ever asked Dream Weaver that before. She thought for a long moment before answering.
"My reasons? There are quite a few, honestly. But in the end, I suppose it's for the people I love."
From the moment Dream Weaver set foot on the track, she had been running for others—first for her mother's medical bills, then through various scripted worlds to complete missions, to resolve King Halo's inner conflicts, to fulfill promises made to everyone in Kasamatsu. All along, she had run for the sake of others.
This scripted world was no different. Carrying the bloodline of the Northern family, Dream Weaver had vowed at her grandmother's bedside to make the Northern name shine brilliantly once more.
Of course, she couldn't explain all that to Rice Shower, so she simply summarized it as running for others.
Hearing this, Rice Shower nodded thoughtfully, murmuring to herself.
"I see… So you run for everyone's happiness too."
"In that case, maybe I really should take part in the Takarazuka Kinen. After all, it's what everyone wishes for."
Seeing Rice Shower's expression, Dream Weaver furrowed her brow slightly. Rice Shower now reminded her of someone.
Someone else who had carried the weight of the audience's expectations, for whom victory felt less like an honor and more like a shackle. Just like Orfevre after her defeat in the Satsuki Sho, Rice Shower seemed to be trying to convince herself to race for the sake of the fans' hopes.
Pushed too far like this, something irreversible could happen. The thought crossed Dream Weaver's mind, and without hesitation, she spoke up.
"But do you really want to go there?"
"Huh?"
Rice Shower's ears twitched lightly at the question, and Dream Weaver continued.
"Expectations can crush a person. I have a… friend, you could say. She once forced herself to become what others expected her to be, too."
"Don't lose your way because of others' expectations. It's dangerous. So I hope you'll listen to your own heart and make the decision that's truly yours."
Perhaps it was because of Rice Shower's pre-race blessing that Dream Weaver set aside her usual principle of not getting involved with other Uma Musume. Instead, she patiently offered her advice.
After listening, Rice Shower turned and looked once more at the familiar Kyoto Racecourse, murmuring under her breath.
"The decision… in my heart?"
After a moment of silence, Rice Shower turned back to Dream Weaver, a smile returning to her face. She looked up at Dream Weaver, who stood a head taller, and said with a laugh,
"I never thought I'd be the one receiving advice here. But that won't do—I'm supposed to be the senior here, after all."
Dream Weaver looked down at the petite Rice Shower, and for some reason, another figure came to mind. Without thinking, she remarked,
"Is being a senior something reserved specifically for shorter Uma Musume?"
Aside from Tamamo Cross, Dream Weaver had never seen an Uma Musume much shorter than herself. And since Rice Shower, like Tamamo Cross, was her senior, the connection came naturally.
"Wh-what are you saying?!"
Puffing her cheeks in mock anger, Rice Shower raised her fists and made a show of threatening to thump Dream Weaver, who quickly backed away, explaining that she needed to find Narita Brian before making her escape.
Watching Dream Weaver retreat, Rice Shower lowered her fists and called after her,
"Since you ran in the Tenno Sho (Spring), you'll definitely run in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), right? I'll be there to cheer for you! Because Rice Shower is an Uma Musume who brings blessings—so you'll definitely achieve your dreams!"
Dream Weaver, already nearing the participant tunnel, waved a hand behind her without turning, acknowledging Rice Shower's words.
As Dream Weaver disappeared from view, Rice Shower finally lowered her hands, her gaze lingering on the spot where the other had vanished, lost in thought.
From Sugimoto Kentaro's words and the look in Dream Weaver's eyes, Rice Shower had sensed the heavy burden Dream Weaver carried. That's why she had put on that playful act—hoping to help lighten the load, if only a little.
"You give advice so skillfully, but… you're carrying a lot of pressure yourself, aren't you?"
"Don't fall into the trap of 'the onlooker sees most clearly,' you know."
Recalling the thoughtful expression Dream Weaver had worn earlier, Rice Shower whispered the words to herself.
--+--
T/N: Classroom of the Elite Fanfic Up!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.